Ronald McDonald House Broward General Location

Sponsor Board Design 2004

In college, 2004, I had the opportunity to design the sponsor board for the top sponsors to the Ronald McDonald house.

The concept of the entire space was of course Florida, beaches, ocean, and sunshine. ASID student chapter painted a mural I designed for the play room and every 2 chapter members were given a suite to design themselves. The entire project came out great but my favorite part was the sponsor board. I created a wave like board in bright south Florida colors. Since in was for outside, I wanted to use a weather resistant material. So we had the board made of composite materials and acrylic signage plaques. This way if it weathers over time it can be refinished and polished again, plus these material work great outside. 

Overall I think the design work great for the space and hope they enjoy it as much as I do.....

BLUE FLAG PROJECT

SEPT. 11, 2001: I REMEMBER WORKING FOR THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS OFFICE. WE WERE PICKING SOMEONE UP FROM THE ER @ JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN MIAMI, ONE OF THE BUSIEST AND LOUDEST ER IN THE TRI-COUNTY AREA. AS WE WALKED IN AN UNSETTLING SILENCE FELL OVER THE ROOM, EVERY ONES FACES (PATIENTS, NURSES, & DOCTORS WAS FIXED ON THE TV SCREEN. IT LITERALLY FELT LIKE THE APOCALYPSE

OF COURSE AMERICA WENT ON THE DEFENSIVE AND INVADED AFGHANISTAN LOOKING FOR THE SAME PEOPLE THEY SUPPORT SEVERAL YEARS EARLIER BY SUPPLYING THEM WITH WEAPONS. BUT NONE THE LESS, I SUPPORTED THE TROOPS 110%, THOSE GUYS WERE FIGHTING A WAR AMERICA STARTED, AND AS A RESULT SO MANY MEN AND WOMEN HAVE DIED IN BATTLE OR BY SUICIDE, FOR WHAT A PATCH OF OIL NEW "US SOIL".  WAS IN FULL SWING. THAN OF COURSE SEVERAL MINUTES LATER THE SECOND PLANE HIT AND AMERICA KNOW THIS WAS NO ACCIDENT THIS WAS SOME KIND OF ATTACK.

WHEN THIS STARTED I DETERMINED I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE TROOPS TO SHOW SUPPORT AND THIS IS WHERE THE BLUE FLAG PROJECT BEGAN. I STENCIL A BLUE FLAG EVERYWHERE I WHEN. IT SYMBOLIZED SUPPORT AND HONOR FOR OUR TROOPER BUT NOT FOR THE BLOOD SHED OF OUR GOVERNMENT.

AFTER 13 YEARS THE FLAG STILL STANDS IN FRONT OF THE US ARMORY. FADED AND IN NEED OF REPAIR BUT NEVER COVERED OR CROSSED OVER.

IN 2012 MY GRANDFATHER PASSED. IT HIT ME MUCH HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT MIGHT AND I BEGAN TO REALIZE THE MORTALITY OF US ALL. HE LEFT MY GRANDMOTHER WITH SUPPORT FINANCIAL AND WITH SEVERAL HOMES TO LIVE IN. HE LEFT HIS CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WITH A SENSE OF WELL BEING AND RESPECT FOR A MAN THAT SELDOM SPOKEN, BUT WHEN HE DID IT MADE YOU SMILE. I MODEL MYSELF OFF HIS TEACHINGS AND HOPE I CAN BE SO INFLUENTIAL TO MY KIDS. HE WAS ALSO A MILITARY MAN AND I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING FOR MY GRANDMOTHER TO SHOW THE RESPECT I HAVE FOR HIM. I DECIDED TO INCORPORATE THE BLUE FLAG PROJECT INTO THIS WORK, DUE TO THE FACT THAT EVERYONE THAT GIVES UP THEIR LIVES FOR A CAUSE OR A COUNTY DESERVES HONOR. I ALSO INCORPORATED SEVERAL OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN INFLUENTIAL IN MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF OTHER AMERICANS. MILEY A GREAT FRIEND CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE NAVY, LANA A NEW FRIEND CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE COAST GUARD, HECTOR HERNANDEZ, MY FATHER-IN-LAW, SERVED IN THE AIR FORCE, AND OF COURSE PAPA JOE SERVED IN ARMY AS A DOCTOR.

UNFORTUNATELY I WAS DENIED THE MURAL PROJECT AT THE ARMORY. PER THE SERGEANT THEY ARE PLANNING ON REMOVING THE BARRICADES AND ADDING A FENCE, WHICH WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF DOING A MURAL ANY HOW. MAYBE A VIDEO TIME LAPSE AND A SECOND MURAL WHO KNOWS.....5.....

213AOE RANDOM STREET SIGNS

 

 

 

213AOE RANDOM

 

During my 5 In Retrospect show @ Rolling Stock Gallery in Fort Lauderdale I work on some street sign "Someone" just happened to have handy. I use my old 213A stencil to produce two images in reverse that we used in the restroom during the night of the show. This work was obviously given over to the sign owner, how shall remain nameless.

In April 2012 during a Rolling Stock Gallery show these peice came up again, and I have to say the installation of this art was amazing. Loved the use of chain and link fence. And to the person who owes this work. Congrates on the showing.....5......

 

NEWERA Graf Expo sponsored by Rollin Stock & WeMerge 2011

 

 An amazing event probabely the first of it's kind in Fort Lauderdale, an actual Graf event where the city just stepped back and let art be art. Of course only to a point. The one bad thing about Graf expos is that they leave the artist open to interpreation by the police. Letting office take name and numbers as if this form of art is like gangbanging or other victim related crimes. But in all it's a great way for public artist to show their colors and shine.

I didn't register for the event but I did take it upon meself to decorate 5 rail columns with some standard stencils I had handy just to ad unique quality to this event, lol

and a dumpter....



 .....5.....



Scream Collage Fat Village 2010

 

A friend of mine "Green Lion" was asked to do a graf mural for the back drop of a theater show @ Studio ALA in FAT village. He asked if I wanted to take part and I agreed. I grabbed some old stencils I had cut and some aerosol. I came up with a simple design using my two scream stencils for one of the two side panels adding some rays and faded rays with masking tape. All in all a fun evening of painting with friends, and the out come.....5.....

Fort Lauderdale Park Art Bombing 2012

During the monthly Jass Brunch, That I attend frequently at esplanade park here in Fort Lauderdale, I want to do a quick experiment with art and community. I decided early in the morning the day of the event to hang several peices in a wood area next to the band shell, just to see what would happen and who might show interest. I also want to see if anyone might take to work, even though they do not know it's free for the taking. Partly and experiment ontrust, partly an experiment on esthetic. Is this a space where people respect art or it's this environment different and as a result the same people that might respect art in a gallery might walk by without a glace?????

Here is what I hung. I wants to stay a bit darker, based on the general community at the event I wanted to most responce even if that might be negative it would work toward my experiment.

Experiments conclusion: Not what I expected. There was no interest directed toward the artwork at all. Almost like they had blinders on and the only directive they were after that day was wine and jazz. Even worse almost like they were not even aware of their surroundings, with such a beautiful park off the water. Now I will say the art I posted was not my best work, at all. I was strictly some old peices I never liked and some test work I was playing around with. I was just extremely interested to see art realated people show no interest in art misplaced in a park. I think I might need to continue this experiment in different areas or maybe a this prak during different dates?? None the less interesting.....5......

Some Publication and Media.....

Artisticats was one of the first magazine to publish some of my work in early 2009.

http://animoto.com/play/XUpIjPU1NikNscnnoafhKg

Channel 10 news report featuring a mural I produced in FAT Village with Green Lion, 2011.

One the of best Art zine I have come across.....Catapult Magazine 2011

http://facebook.com/catapult.artmag

 http://www.catapult-mag.com

Timeline Wall & Death of Finance Corner

One of the most cumbersome undertaking of the 5 In retrospect show was the "timeline wall & the Death of finance collages". This wall represented my life in vision. What do you put the present you what positivity do you add, what negativity do you add, Where to do draw the line of being PC or being fake. I wanted this wall to represent truth and respect. I wanted to show respect for my family as well as disrespect of specific aspects. I wanted to it show anger, mistakes and triumphs. A collaboration of positive and negative reactions, thus the collaboration we all experience in life. Hopefully the journey of the wall continuous. It's been a backdrop for comedy, and for music. I wonder where it may develop in the future.

I find pride in the fact that people see what I do, without even knowing they see it. a backdrop, a wall mural, a sticker, small subbliminal messages. General smile from people in the art community, in the social community, and in the homeless community. All walk see and exp;lor with no restrictions, or demands.

Images established in these two works could relate with anyone passing by and I think that was the pleasure of the placement of these works. General public placement. It has defiantly made me think more about where the placements are and what category of persons may view t before removal. The concept needs to come across but not with the loss of the dynamics. Dynamics are the turning point.

Dynamics are essential. Thank Ryan @ Rolling Stock Gallery for the images.....5......

Will Work for Healthcare. 2009

I current story reminded me of this work. CEO of Gilead John C. Martins made it into the 50 million dollar club. http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/story/2012-03-20/50-million-club-irani-martin-occidental-gilead/53676412/1. This  keeps me focused on why I distrust anyone involved in the research for a cure, expectally if they are in connection with the

Pharmaceutical companies, when there is so much money in no cure. I produced this work several years ago to explain the lack of care toward HIV research, HIV fertility research, and HIV medication research. It seem after all these years we are still as far from a "CURE" then we were years ago, But there is still penty of people making an Absence amount of money for doing nothing but maintaining. If I maintained at work I do not think I would be so benefited. It really makes you think why would they want to find a cure if they are so benefited from not???????

THINK POZITIVE aka: TPOZ

“Sitting in wonder / the lack for trust clouds my perspective. / I breathe, yet drowning is so painful / Pride decays in the presents of finance / a man becomes a boy / and the heart grows no founder / As seasons change and movements stalls / little acknowledgement for those baby steps are present / Is it bitter luck or bad weather that draws upon us / Light through seemingly dark skies / cups half full / the battle for the soul rages within / the war begins / dark verses light / positive verse negative / opposites collide / Are you a solider of predominately negative dreams / or are you a solider of light / live free, live long, live positive.”…..5…..

What do we do as artist when the future is seemingly so dim? Budgets become slimmer, marriage become broken, personalities become melancholy, and life as we knew it become more of a hassle then the freedom we all seem to enjoy. We as artist have a responsibility to show and communicate these tears in the system, politically, socially and commercially. But is this the only responsibility artist have? Or do we as artists have an alternative responsibility to help promote our future, to help encourage our fellow humans and to bring to the table a communication of positivity.

This is a call to arms for Artists across the nation to develop ideas and concept to promote positive thinking. Think Pozitive is a way to promote this concept as well as developing your own creativity into it. Think Pozitive to not only battle the negative energies of the current environment but to also gather strength against HIV/AIDS in the world and to develop awarness.....5.....



.....Be Found 5.....

Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 29, 2011: Channel 10 news released the story of two artist’s large scale mural project in Fat Village (link above.) Iain Barnes and James Damatt embarked on this installation to express the gravity of both the foster care system, and teenage homelessness. Teaming up with Rolling Stock Gallery and Fat Village Arts District, these two artists created "BE Found 5" a personal depiction of the artists anguish and ability to affect change by overcoming adversity.

Iain Barnes aka 5, developed the original concept of the mural based on his personal experiences as a foster parent. The image represents the emotional drain one feels when children are removed from his home. "It feel as if life is being removed from your family, from your soul", says 5, "complete emptiness, and fear of the future even if the outcome is positive." This mural was inspired by the children that he has welcomed into his home and his heart. The question mark for the future, represented in the hand above his head. "If we can make a small change in a child’s success what kinds of impact will that have in their future? This is the question and the goal" states 5.

James Damatt aka BE expanded on the concept by adding the terminology "BE found 5" illustrating the drive BE has to find help for homeless children. Bean left home when he was 15 and was homeless, which gave him a deeper insight on the growing epidemic. "The youth are our future" states BE, "and if we abandoned them, who are we as human beings and what is our future." Letters scattered throughout the mural represent names of youth forgotten in the system, aged out, or worse dead. This mural is public, open viewing to all and downtown only second from the central bus terminal where homeless youth gather. Local youth will be able to view this mural and be inspired in a positive way.

Ryan James, Director and Curator of the artist run gallery Rolling Stock, is trailblazing in bringing urban mural work to Fort Lauderdale. Rolling Stock, which is the first gallery of its kind in Fort Lauderdale, is aligning fresh new artists with cause, to create public art installations. He firmly believes that "Public art creates public awareness." With the help and permission of Doug McCraw, an art collector and property investor who started FAT Village, Ryan has been able to direct several artistic murals throughout FAT Village, exhibit upcoming and established artists, and hold writer’s benches for artists to meet and join in the collaborative process of creating art.

Stealth Marketing

Marketing Firms pay billions of dollars to gather your attention and direct your personal spending. Why is it that "Marketing" and or "Sales" seem to think human beings are dumb animals focused like cattle on repetitive marketing produced by money. It almost sound like and old horror film the more the spirit say Kill the more the murderer wants to kill. On top of that, artists who repel this form of vandalism of public space are in turn considered vandals themselves, because the issue of money is not in question with art. Stealth Marketing is a very simple concept it is market to people "Wanting" to view your marketing. Thousands of people pass by stealth marketing on a daily basis. Only those interested in this form of art or the artist, find it attractive thus promoting the artist via marketing. It's not a concept of why we market. We market to promote our product, our art, etc., etc., etc. yet we try to do it in a way that markets to our audience and doesn't dismantle the image of public space. On the other hand the image of art in public space must change; Marketing has dominated public space for a long time based on money. Not human interest, not entertainment of the human soul, not beauty of the human eye....strictly money. Imagine a place where the public space is beautiful, colored and fun generating energy of positive and emotionally charged happiness. How would that change our world to date? CBS and Clear Channel do not need to own every billboard to be profitable.....peace.....5.....

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Flag Project: 2001

     

      Blue Flag was a personal project I started with my boy aka FI LO LI  to bring some support to our troops during the wars that followed 9-11, at the same time the project, in my eyes was a middle finger to the current president. Because all and all, I believe him to be the underlining reason for the assault on New York. Still the same, I produced many Blue Flags across Broward county and to this day this memorial for our troops still stands in front of the US Armory on SR84 10 years later as a landmark. Peace and rest to our troops fallen or with us in distress, Not many of us know the issues developed by the images of war, nor can we fathom the conception of brutality visualized in war. I speak with many Vets who cannot even distinguish road kill form human form, with that mentality, we wonder why thousands of Americans decided to live outside society as homeless, either because of war driven mental illness or just plain disguise for a society that would create such a vacuum of death. Thanks Royroy for the help.....5.....And still up